Comparative transcriptomics reveals candidate carotenoid color genes in an East African cichlid fish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carotenoids contribute significantly to animal body coloration, including the spectacular color pattern diversity among fishes. Fish, as other animals, derive carotenoids from their diet. Following uptake, transport and metabolic conversion, carotenoids allocated to body coloration are deposited in the chromatophore cells of the integument. The genes involved in these processes are largely unknown. Using RNA-Sequencing, we tested for differential gene expression between carotenoid-colored and white skin regions of a cichlid fish, Tropheus duboisi "Maswa", to identify genes associated with carotenoid-based integumentary coloration. To control for positional gene expression differences that were independent of the presence/absence of carotenoid coloration, we conducted the

SUBMITTER: Ahi EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6966818 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature